Thursday, April 28, 2016

Red Snails in the Sunset: Preparing for the Mastectomy

Tomorrow is the big day, the day I trust that God has given the doctors wisdom and guidance as they remove my breast, and hopefully eradicate my cancer. I have a lot to do today, including picking up beloved sister Amy from the airport who will spend ten days with me, at my beck and call. I couldn't ask for a better caretaker. She is fun, competent, and kind. If anyone can bring cheer to this less than cheery occasion, it is Amy. I am blessed by passels of friends eager to bring food or whatever I need.

It may be a scary day, but it is day that I am engulfed by the love of God, family, and friends. What a beautiful life I have!

I spent my penultimate day as a two-breasted woman cataloguing more art from my attic, and then kayaking. I was so busy, that I mostly forgot about being worried. God is good. He knew just what I needed and He provided. (I could have done without the 30 mph headwinds on the river, but again, God's plans are immutable.)

Despite hard work battling the wind, Kayaking was great. It was, as usual, gorgeous and peaceful. One rest session, while I sat in the water watching the herons, a skidoo pulled up and the driver asked if I could "watch his boat a sec." I warned him I could watch it drift away, but I was under doc orders not to be hauling heavy skidoos in 30 mph headwinds. He nodded and pulled it safely to shore. (I get the oddest requests...)

I realized I'd been on the water nearly two hours, and I don't think I thought of my impending surgery at all. I contemplated the ferocious head wind instead, and how fast the return trip with a tailwind would be.

Later, while cataloguing my art, I spent more time than I expected laughing. For example, one of the paintings I found in the attic was this red one at the top of the blog. Very Matisse-like, don't you think? Too bad no one will pay me Matisse prices. If I were a rich artist, maybe I could pay someone else to undergo this mastectomy gig. Anyway, the title is the best part of the painting: Red Snails in the Sunset.

Now unless you are of a certain age, you don't get the joke. My father will, because he and I used to sing that song at the top of our lungs on our Sunday car excursions.

Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

She sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset, I'm trusting in you

Swift wings we must borrow, make straight for the shore, oh yeah
We'll marry tomorrow and you go sailing no more

Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

Oh yeah
We'll marry tomorrow and you go sailing no more

And red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

This song brings back very fond memories, and is a beautiful song. But now, instead of red sails in the sunset or even red snails in the sunset, I would substitute Jesus...with His crimson sacrifice.
Try it. Read the lyrics and substitute Jesus in every place red sails are mentioned.

Jesus, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

She sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue
Jesus, I'm trusting in you

Swift wings we must borrow, make straight for the shore, oh yeah
We'll marry tomorrow and you go sailing no more

Jesus, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

Oh yeah
We'll marry tomorrow and you go sailing no more

Jesus, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one, home safely to me

Jesus is there, the vehicle upon which all my hopes for the future rest. I am trusting that He will bring me safely to shore, despite treacherous seas. All those I love will be brought home safely if Jesus carries them. When we are are safely in our eternal home, we will wander no more. We will have no reason to.

***************
Starting tomorrow, I will be occupied. Prayers most appreciated! Hopefully I will be under the influence of some heavy duty pain killers, and my focus will be on healing. I strongly suspect I will not be blogging for a few days.

The good news: I have uploaded my attic of art work for sale to help fund my cancer journey for your viewing pleasure HERE.
If you get bored viewing my art, I have 18 best-selling books on Amazon you can work your way through HERE.

He who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into
the morning and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of
the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is his name;

8 comments:

Praying for wisdom for the doctors and for a healthy dose of peace and comfort for you, Vicky. My aunt went through this some years ago. She is cancer free and healthy now, and I pray the same for you. God bless!

The Lord bless you and keep you. Be anxious for nothing. I know many people who've taken this journey and walked out of the valley cancer free, including my mother. I'm praying you will have an equally victorious experience.

Praying that the Lord will guide the doctors' skilled hands, and you will wake up from anesthesia cancer-free! Sending you a big hug ((HUG)) as a 2x cancer survivor. Your books AND your art are amazing, Vicky, just like YOU!

Dear Vicky, you are a treasure to me! I have been praying for you all day and just found your sister's update on FaceBook. You are out cold, but God is not. He is at work, healing your body. I eagerly anticipate the day you are declared cancer free. My faith is in the Savior's goodness and grace, just like your is. Rest. Heal. And write when you are able. Hugs. Sheryl Chandler

Published Author of book about Dog Rescue and Faith

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Follow me on Twitter: vicky kaseorg@vickykaseorg

I am a Christ follower who stumbles often, but tries to keep my eyes on Jesus. With that focus, I try to live life as exuberantly as I can, trying to commit all I do to God.
I am the author of a true story of a dying dog we rescued and the unlikely vehicle to find God's redemptive work. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/Im-Listening-Broken-Ear-ebook/dp/B005BRF2UU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310165479&sr=8-1-fkmr1